Michael Chabon's novel The Yiddish Policeman's Union is set in Alaska's Sitka province, which has become the homeland of the world's Jews after Israel was destroyed in 1948. His Jews speak Yiddish, eat matzo balls and refer to themselves as the Frozen Chosen. Generally a funny read, especially for people who wonder what would have happened if things didn't work out for Israel.
I thought that last detail was Chabon just being funny, but it turns out that Alaska's Jews actually do refer to themselves as the Frozen Chosen, and they follow EskiMoses. Check out the link for an article on their Congressman.
4 comments:
I really wanted to like this book. I got through the first 50 pages.
-JGC
what about the Mizrachim? do they also eat matzo ball soup?
Sorry but there are no frozen Oriental Jews (Mizrachim Kfu'im) in Sitka. I guess Chabon assumes that once Israel imploded, there was no expulsion of Jews from the Arab world.
I assume there's not even any reference to them. Why would they not have been expelled to Sitka? I'm disappointed with Chabon.
Post a Comment